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Sunday, 15 July 2012

Melissa officinalis extract inhibits attachment of herpes simplex virus in vitro.
Chemotherapy. 2012;58(1):70-7
Authors: Astani A, Reichling J, Schnitzler P
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants are
increasingly of interest as novel drugs for antiherpetic agents, since
the herpes simplex virus (HSV) might develop resistance to commonly used
antiviral drugs.
METHODS: An aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis as well as
phenolic extract compounds, i.e. caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and
rosmarinic acid were examined for their antiviral activity against
herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.
RESULTS: When drugs were added to HSV-1-infected cells, no
antiviral effect was observed as determined by plaque reduction assay
and analysis of expression of viral protein ICP0. However, the Melissa
extract demonstrated a high virucidal activity against HSV-1, even at
very low concentrations of 1.5 μg/ml, whereas similar results for
phenolic compounds were only achieved at 100 times higher
concentrations. Besides the virucidal activity, the Melissa extract and
rosmarinic acid inhibited HSV-1 attachment to host cells in a
dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that rosmarinic acid was
the main contributor to the antiviral activity of Melissa extract.
However, the selectivity index of Melissa extract of 875 against HSV is
superior to the selectivity indices of single constituents.
CONCLUSION: Melissa extract exhibits low toxicity, is virucidal and affects HSV-1 attachment to host cells in vitro.

About this blog

This blog explores medical herbalism – its history, application and role. It pays particular attention to the Irish tradition. You will also find details of case histories and the latest research. Some of the posts in the blog are discussed in more detail in the members' forum of The Irish College of Traditional and Integrative Medcine. Medical herbalism is effective, proven, natural and environmentally friendly. The pharmaceutical industry would not exist without it. It frequently offers solutions where conventional medicine has failed.

About the author

This blog is written by Rosari Kingston M.Sc (Herbal Medicine), a professionally qualified medical Herbalist based in West Cork, Ireland. In addition to running her practice she lectures, writes, and carries out research. She is a member of the Irish Institute of Medical Herbalists (iimh.org.). She is also involved in course development at The Irish College of Traditional and Integrative Medicine(ICTIM). www.irishcollegeoftraditionalandintegrativemedicine.com